Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered what a major drug trafficking network in Lagos in a sting operation that led to the seizure of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud worth billions of naira.

The operation which was conducted by crack detectives following a tip-off from a concerned and patriotic citizen”, was facilitated by technical expertise and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Olohundare Jimoh, also led to the arrest of several suspects including an alleged kingpin, Eke Henry Ifeanyi, 41, in whose apartment inside an estate in Mende, Maryland, the illicit substances were found.

Addressing newsmen at the residence on Saturday, AIG Jimoh said the zonal police mounted surveillance on the suspect for several months before eventually catching him on May 19.

He explained that Ekeh, who allegedly imperosnated the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) by forging its presidency plate number, which he allegedly used to move the illicit substance to buyers undetected.

Jimoh said the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) trailed and arrested the suspect, who later led detectives to his three-bedroom apartment located at 10, Olori Adekemi Ajibola Street, Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Maryland, which he used as warehouse for his legitimate business, as well as the drugs.

He said a thorough search of the apartment led to the recovery of 425 bags containing substances suspected to be Canadian Loud, a banned narcotic.

“The intelligence led to the arrest of one Eke Henry Ifeanyi and the recovery of 425 bags containing substances suspected to be Canadian Loud at the suspect’s warehouse,” Jimoh said.

The police also recovered two BYD electric vehicles with forged presidency number plates marked NYCN 98 S, one Leopard hybrid vehicle with forged presidency number plate NYCN 10 SE, three Android phones, one Republic of Liberia resident permit card, two ATM cards and an Emporio Armani wristwatch.

Preliminary investigations, according to the AIG, revealed that the suspect allegedly operated under the cover of selling thermal paper rolls used in Point of Sale (POS) machines while secretly engaging in the distribution of illicit drugs through online platforms within and outside Lagos State.

Jimoh further alleged that the suspect used the vehicles bearing forged special number plates to evade security checks and suspicion while transporting the prohibited substances.

He said investigation had been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate and all persons connected with the illegal drug business.

The AIG assured residents of Lagos and Ogun states that the command remained committed to reducing crimes and criminality within the zone through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with members of the public.

He also commended the individual whose information aided the operation, stressing the importance of timely intelligence sharing in combating organised crime and drug trafficking.

Jimoh said the suspect would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations, adding that the command would continue to keep the public informed on further developments in the case. (The nation)